Hartlepool by-election ‘is the Conservatives’ to lose’ Plus: Jake Berry, the chairman of the Northern Research Group, on why the constituency feels ready for change 3 May 2021 • 9:00pm Boris Johnson steps out on the campaign trail in Hartlepool on Monday Credit: Lindsey Parnaby/WPA Pool/Getty Images The Conservatives are heading for victory in Thursday's by-election in Hartlepool, the leader of the council believes, as Boris Johnson warned that the party faced a fight. During a visit to a seafront fish and chip restaurant in the north-eastern constituency, the Prime Minister said: "I have always believed that it was going to be a tough fight, and I still believe that is the case."